ReviewA Vibrant New Resonance: Introducing the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Blue

In the world of watchmaking, few concepts are as coveted and rare as resonance. This groundbreaking innovation was first attempted by the greatest watchmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries, with the goal to improve chronometric precision and consistency. However, it wasn’t until Armin Strom introduced the Mirrored Force Resonance in 2016, that resonance was fully realised in a unique and unprecedented way.

Last year, the brand’s Mirrored Force Resonance underwent a complete redesign, resulting in the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition with a newly designed case, movement, and dial. This year, Armin Strom released the Manufacture Edition-Blue, a limited series of 50 pieces, with striking colour contrasts that bring the timepiece to life. The slender stainless steel case measures 43mm x 11.55mm, and the raised sapphire glass box showcases the timepiece’s vibrant colours and open mechanics.

The Watch’s Pièce de Résistance

At the heart of Armin Strom’s horological pursuit lies the patented Resonance Clutch Spring, which connects twin oscillators and continues to be the brand’s main focus. The Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition still displayed the hours and minutes on an off-centred dial, with twin continuous dials for seconds that run in opposite directions, separating the resonance mechanism from the dial. The pusher at two o’clock allows the two running seconds indicators—which rotate in mirrored clockwise and counter-clockwise motions—to be reset to zero, so as to visually track the state of resonance. This mechanism serves as a reminder of the primary achievement of the Resonance Clutch Spring—the ability to naturally link the two oscillators for a more stable rate.

To better understand the significance of the concept behind the Mirrored Force Resonance, one must look to the continuous dials for seconds, which highlight and quantify the patented Resonance Clutch Spring’s primary achievement: when two oscillators are arranged in such a way that they are influenced by each other, their beat rate will drift until they become synchronised in their oscillation. This phenomenon provides a stabilising feedback loop, where each balance resists drifting from the beat rate, thanks to tiny vibrational inputs from the other. The Mirrored Force Resonance concept is a remarkable feat of engineering, and Armin Strom’s continued pursuit of this technology is sure to yield many more exciting innovations.

The Mirrored Force Resonance concept is a remarkable feat of engineering, and Armin Strom’s continued pursuit of this technology is sure to yield many more exciting innovations

Only Made For A Select Few

The off-centre dial of this 50-piece limited edition run is in a deep blue colour, with a grenage textured central element, and a circular satin-brushed chapter ring. The applied polished baton indices add even more depth to the highly three-dimensional display. The twin resonance seconds counters are also finished in the same blue tone, painted with white numerals for maximum legibility. The watch is delivered on a matching dark blue eco-friendly Alcantara strap, completing the blue overtones of the timepiece. The case back view reveals the engraved main plate, which details the specific characteristics of the Mirrored Force Resonance in bas-relief text. The mirrored arrangement of open bridges and gears accentuates the remarkable symmetry of the movement.

Armin Strom’s commitment to crafting exceptional calibres with the finest finishing and attention to detail is evident in every component of the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Blue. Every single component is decorated by hand with great care by their highly skilled watchmakers, utilising various techniques such as perlage, satin-brushing, chamfering, and polishing. The outcome is nothing short of a remarkable miniature wearable piece of art, taking the concept of haute horlogerie to new heights.